inner tie rods, or bad rack?
06-26-2013, 10:40 AM
#1
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
inner tie rods, or bad rack?
I have been tracking down a source of free play in my steering for a while (power steering). The first 1/2" or so of movement in the steering wheel has very little effect on the steering.
With the front wheels up on ramps, I discovered that I can reach up to the rack and turn the input shaft a little each way, with no resulting movement in the tie rods. I have never been able to find the free play with the wheels in the air - if I rock the wheel back and forth there appears to be no looseness. But with the wheels planted on the ramps, there is quite a bit of free play in the rack input.
It's NOT the u-joints, as I have just replaced the shaft with a rebuilt one from emotorsports. The pinch bolt is dead tight and I can see that there is no movement between the joint and splined shaft.
Could this be worn inner tie rods, or a bad rack? The outer tie rod ends seem very solid, but that might just be because the PO replaced them and then ignored the inners like most people do because they're expensive.
With the front wheels up on ramps, I discovered that I can reach up to the rack and turn the input shaft a little each way, with no resulting movement in the tie rods. I have never been able to find the free play with the wheels in the air - if I rock the wheel back and forth there appears to be no looseness. But with the wheels planted on the ramps, there is quite a bit of free play in the rack input.
It's NOT the u-joints, as I have just replaced the shaft with a rebuilt one from emotorsports. The pinch bolt is dead tight and I can see that there is no movement between the joint and splined shaft.
Could this be worn inner tie rods, or a bad rack? The outer tie rod ends seem very solid, but that might just be because the PO replaced them and then ignored the inners like most people do because they're expensive.
Last edited by divil; 06-26-2013 at 10:41 AM. Reason: forgot to mention it is PS
06-26-2013, 02:22 PM
#2
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Now I'm no porsche expert but my last 2 beaters (a civic and a 240sx) both had a "preload" on the steering system set from the factory. Now over time metal parts wear and the spring that puts preload on the rack loosens. So if there is any play in the wheel a simple adjustment of this spring would be the solution.
Now where is this "spring" in a 944? No clue. Does it even have one? No idea. But it's something worth researching before dropping $$ on a new rack. Ill update this response shortly after I do some research since 944's as a whole are pretty new to me.
Here's what I found in my search, https://rennlist.com/forums/924-931-...-is-loose.html
I guess only manual racks have a "preload spring" so my idea is moot on your power rack. So if you have your car on stands and someone holds the wheel tight can you pull/push your tie rods in or out? If so I would suspect inner tie rods.
Now where is this "spring" in a 944? No clue. Does it even have one? No idea. But it's something worth researching before dropping $$ on a new rack. Ill update this response shortly after I do some research since 944's as a whole are pretty new to me.
Here's what I found in my search, https://rennlist.com/forums/924-931-...-is-loose.html
I guess only manual racks have a "preload spring" so my idea is moot on your power rack. So if you have your car on stands and someone holds the wheel tight can you pull/push your tie rods in or out? If so I would suspect inner tie rods.
06-26-2013, 03:56 PM
#3
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Now I'm no porsche expert but my last 2 beaters (a civic and a 240sx) both had a "preload" on the steering system set from the factory. Now over time metal parts wear and the spring that puts preload on the rack loosens. So if there is any play in the wheel a simple adjustment of this spring would be the solution.
Now where is this "spring" in a 944? No clue. Does it even have one? No idea. But it's something worth researching before dropping $$ on a new rack. Ill update this response shortly after I do some research since 944's as a whole are pretty new to me.
Here's what I found in my search, https://rennlist.com/forums/924-931-...-is-loose.html
I guess only manual racks have a "preload spring" so my idea is moot on your power rack. So if you have your car on stands and someone holds the wheel tight can you pull/push your tie rods in or out? If so I would suspect inner tie rods.
Now where is this "spring" in a 944? No clue. Does it even have one? No idea. But it's something worth researching before dropping $$ on a new rack. Ill update this response shortly after I do some research since 944's as a whole are pretty new to me.
Here's what I found in my search, https://rennlist.com/forums/924-931-...-is-loose.html
I guess only manual racks have a "preload spring" so my idea is moot on your power rack. So if you have your car on stands and someone holds the wheel tight can you pull/push your tie rods in or out? If so I would suspect inner tie rods.